Chivalry is the theme in a forthcoming tome by four-time Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke. Titled "Rules for a Knight," the highly-anticipated volume, whose 192 pages is filled with the actor's beautifully-weaved words, is the third novel written by the "Boyhood" star.
Set in 1483, the book centers on Cornish knight Sir Thomas Lemuel Hawke, who writes a letter to his four children before he goes into battle, which he may or may not survive. This letter includes 20 virtues that that take about the secrets to noble life as well as life lessons he would want them to know if he didn't live to tell them himself.
"Why am I alive? Where was I before I was born? What will happen to me when I die? Whatever well our lives are drawn from, it is deep, wild, mysterious and unknowable ..." the actor writes in "Rules for a Knight" as quoted by The Guardian.
Publisher Hutchinson describes the book as "many things: a code of ethics, an intimate record of triumphs, failures and aspirations, and a testament to a father's love." Publishing director Jocasta Hamilton, who will distribute "Rules for a Knight" in the UK and Commonwealth had this to say (via The Bookseller) about the novel.
"Executed with wit and elegance, Rules for a Knight is a parable for all ages which has the potential to become a classic. With the appeal of an Arthurian legend and the economy of Aesop, it draws on Eastern and Western philosophy and literature. I think we all need to be reminded, as well as taught, how to live."
"Rules for a Knight" not only allowed Hawke, who also published the books "The Hottest State" and "Ash Wednesday" to dive deeper into the literary domain. It also allowed the actor's wife Ryan Hawke, to unleash her inner artiste. Mrs. Hawke was the one who illustrated the book.
In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Hawke, who appeared in classic films such as "Dead Poets Society" along with the late Robin Williams and "Reality Bites," revealed that he wrote "Rules for a Knight" for his kids simply because "it becomes fairly difficult to talk about ethics with kids without sounding like you're preaching." This and because the actor has developed the affinity to talk to his children "about what I believe in and it became easier to do it in a fictional way."
"Rules for a Knight" will be out in hardback on Nov 10.